I charge by the hour and it high for around here but I say going for what a plumber or electrician charges is good. On ground work residential I charge milage and 50 a hour with a minimum of 3 hours. Reason I charge like that is I found people were less likely to complain they understand hourly rates and minimums, and if anyone say crap i just tell them what a plumber or electrician charges a hour and ask if they think my skills are worth less. Now the guy in Jackson is telling me I need to raise my rates to at least 75 a hour for that area. You want to make it enough to make you happy when its nasty the hive is dead and its nothing but work. My time is very valuable to me and my wife and child bees are cool but we all know that if you wanted a extra hive it just cost you 20 buck for a queen and 2 to 3 frames of brood. Now just starting out that sounds bad but its really cheap. If you are a better keep than me it could only cost you 3 frames of brood and a cell.

If I was doing it like Mike I would have quit years ago, but with me charging it gives people in my area someone to call when they want the job done and done right and done in a timely manner. I normally never do the repair work that keeps me from being responsible if its not sealed back and the bees return. I tell them every thing I know on how to keep the bees out I tell them to seal the spot like they wanted to float it down the river. Tell them to put a bottle of almond extract in the space with a loose top tell them to back fill with insulation packed.

I start with the base price of $175 and factor in how far away, how big, location in building and difficulty of removal meaning time it takes. This is a side line hobby and folks like JP who do it for a living will charge top dollar as would I if that was my business. Some areas you go into folks may not be able to drop a 300 bill for a removal so for me it is what I feel is fair for all parties in the negotiation. If they have been sprayed already say can not do!Blanc

Logged

Psalm 19:9-10The fear of the Lord is clean,enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.More to be desired are they than gold, yea ,than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Everyone under the sun will pay 1000+ for termite spraying. So why would you expect me to get attacked by stinging insects in your house and not charge 200 - 300.

When I started I thought 100 bucks was great but as you do more and the more time it takes you away from the kids your loved ones and just plainly gives you no time for beekeeping. You start to charge more I really say go with a good skilled labor person in your area if he is charging 65 to put in a light switch or 50 a hour to change a alternator then I say you have all the reason in the world to charge the same.

Or go with Mississippi socialism big house + nice car = higher bill. I am economical on most things we drive older cars and if I pull up to do a removal in a house in my 1998 Toyota and you have a 2011 chevy four door truck well you aint getting the friends and family rate. Dont think I am a mean person for this everyone other than walmart makes those judgements when they pull up to do work at your house.

I start with the base price of $175 and factor in how far away, how big, location in building and difficulty of removal meaning time it takes. This is a side line hobby and folks like JP who do it for a living will charge top dollar as would I if that was my business. Some areas you go into folks may not be able to drop a 300 bill for a removal so for me it is what I feel is fair for all parties in the negotiation. If they have been sprayed already say can not do!Blanc

I charge what I feel is a fair price for the job. I do my best to be fair with the customer and myself. To insinuate that I charge "top dollar" as you mentioned is inaccurate and I certainly would not want to get a reputation for someone who charges "top dollar".

I make it a point to know what the competition offers & do on occasion have to make adjustments here and there to account for what the competition has to offer.

Getting back to the original question, inevitably you have to consider what your time and effort are worth.

Getting bees out of structures is a lot of work and the most difficult way of attaining bees.